SFC '17: Development Report (March)

Wednesday, 15 March 2017

In 2017 the Subiaco Football Club is aiming to integrate its Development Programs closer to the ethos of the club.

“Subiaco has the four values that they stand by: hunger, sacrifice, ruthless and respect. We want to instil those values in them [players in the 16s Excellence Squad], because the club goes by them on a daily basis, that’s how they play their football,” Talent Manager Michael Farmer said.

“The players coming through the program learn the values and the reasons behind those values and abide by those values in their football and in their life,” he said.

Subiaco has recently re-structured its Development Pathway, with a major change to the Lions’ Pride Academy.

“We’ve had a major change with our Lions’ Pride Academy.Our Lions’ Pride Academy is our program that fits in between Colts and 16s. Obviously the 16s finish up around the end of April and then they go back to community football so we don’t really want them to shy away from what they’ve learnt at 16s,

“The Lions’ Pride Academy is there to make sure that the education and the skill development is consistent throughout the year,” Farmer said.

“They’re still learning the Subiaco way, so it’s going to be very important to make sure that we are going to identify 15-20 kids from that 16s program to be a part of the Lions’ Pride and they’re the ones we see as having a really big impact moving forward into the Colts’ pre-season.”

In the off-season, Subiaco was able to appoint former WA State 18s Coach Andrew Lockyer to the position of a Coaching Co-ordinator.

Former State 18s coach Andrew Lockyer is a big addition for the Lions

“The appointment of Andrew Lockyer as our Coaching Co-ordinator will have a significant effect. It means that our coaches now are teaching the same thing from League down to Colts down to 16s. So if our 16s are hearing the terminology they are using in Colts and League, it will ultimately allow for them to make that smooth transition,” Farmer said.

“As they move through the system, they’re hearing the same things, they’re being taught the same things so it’s not a shock when they get to Colts or Seniors. I think it will have a really good value in keeping these kids in the system for a lot longer because they understand and they feel comfortable with their knowledge,” he said.

In news that will brighten the mood of many Subiaco fans, Farmer believes that there are a host of talented kids coming through the junior ranks.

“We’ve got a pretty well-rounded group. We’ve been hit with a few injuries but kids like Mitch Georgiades who is the son of John who played for Subiaco in the 1980’s. Levi Duyckers is an exciting key position player who can swing through he midfield,”

“Jaxon Bilchuris is a big bodied player who will have an impact while. Jack McIntosh, Mark Corbett, Christian Miller-Sabbioni have got a bit of x-factor about them. I think they’ll be the kids to look out for,” he said.

The 16’s played their first game against Swan Districts last Saturday and produced some promising performances despite a tough loss.